Display system and display device

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a housing with an opening; an electro-optic layer that includes a transmissive-reflective layer and configured to vary reflectivity of incident light; a display provided on the electro-optic layer; a control circuit that controls an operation of the display device; and an actuator that switches the electro-optic layer between first and second postures, wherein the control circuit: controls an operation of the display, generates a trimmed image matching a shape of the opening or a shape of the display, outputs the trimmed image to the display, controls the reflectivity of the electro-optic layer when the electro-optic layer is in the second posture, and does not control the reflectivity of the electro-optic layer when the electro-optic layer is in the first posture, and the display is visible to a driver through the electro-optic layer when the control circuit controls the display to display the trimmed image.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/243,204, filed Apr. 28, 2021, which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/825,088, filed on Mar. 20, 2020, which claimsthe benefit of Japanese Patent Applications No. 2019-068098, No.2019-068191 and No. 2019-068745, each filed on Mar. 29, 2019, andJapanese Patent Application No. 2020-002211, filed on Jan. 9, 2020. Thedisclosure of each of these documents, including the specification,drawings, and claims, is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to a display system and adisplay device and relate in particular to a display system and adisplay device that display captured images rearward of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, instead of commonly used inner rear-view mirrors, theutilization of a display system and a related display device thatcapture images rearward of the vehicle by way of an image capture deviceand display the captured images on a display device are being evaluated(Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2018-43643).

However, the above described display systems and display devices requireevaluation of further improvements towards achieving practical usage.

SUMMARY

To resolve the aforementioned issues, one aspect of the display systemis a display system that is placeable in the vehicle and includes animage capture device that captures images rearward of the vehicle, adisplay device that is coupled to the image capture device via anetwork, and receives at least a portion of the rearward images capturedby the image capture device, a first illuminance sensor that detectsbrightness around the vehicle, and a second illuminance sensor thatdetects intensity of light emitted onto a front surface of the displaydevice. The display device includes a housing with an opening on a frontside, an electro-optic layer with a transmissive-reflective layer thattransmits a portion of incident light and reflects another portion ofthe incident light, the electro-optic layer being configured to varyreflectivity of the incident light, a display placed on a rear side ofthe electro-optic layer and configured to display at least a portion ofthe rearward images, a control circuit that controls operation of thedisplay device, and an actuator placed in the housing and configured toswitch a posture of the electro-optic layer between a first posture anda second posture. The first posture is a posture that a driver of thevehicle views rearward of the vehicle by at least a portion of therearward images displayed on the display. The second posture is aposture that the driver of the vehicle views rearward of the vehicle byway of a mirror image that appears on the transmissive-reflective layer.The control circuit controls the display to display at least a portionof the rearward images when the posture of the electro-optic layer is inthe first posture, controls the display to display no image when theposture of the electro-optic layer is in the second posture, andcontrols brightness of the display device based on a value detected byat least one of the first illuminance sensor and the second illuminancesensor. The display is visible to the driver through the electro-opticlayer when the control circuit controls the display to display at leasta portion of the rearward images.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is a display device that isplaceable within interior of the vehicle and that includes a housingwith an opening on a front side, an image acquirer that acquires imagesrearward of the vehicle, a first illuminance detector that detects afirst illuminance indicating brightness around the vehicle, and a secondilluminance detector that detects a second illuminance indicatingintensity of light emitted on a front surface of the display device. Thedisplay device includes an electro-optic layer with atransmissive-reflective layer that transmits a portion of incident lightand reflects another portion of the incident light, the electro-opticlayer being configured to vary reflectivity of the incident light, adisplay placed on a rear side of the electro-optic layer and configuredto display at least a portion of the rearward images, a control circuitthat controls operation of the display device, and an actuator placed inthe housing and configured to switch a posture of the electro-opticlayer between a first posture and a second posture. The first posture isa posture that the driver of the vehicle views the rearward of thevehicle by at least a portion of the rearward images displayed on thedisplay. The second posture is a posture that the driver of the vehicleviews the rearward of the vehicle by way of a mirror image that appearson the transmissive-reflective layer. The control circuit controls thedisplay to display at least of a portion of the rearward images when theposture of the electro-optic layer is in the first posture, controls thedisplay to display no image when the posture of the electro-optic layeris in the second posture, and controls brightness of the display basedon a value detected by at least one of the first illuminance and thesecond illuminance. The display is visible to the driver of the vehiclethrough the electro-optic layer when the control circuit controls thedisplay to display at least a portion of the rearward images.

An optimal combination of the above structural elements, methodsexpressing the present disclosure devices, systems, etc. are also validin the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the structure of the vehicle relatingto one aspect of an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the displaydevice relating to one aspect of the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a frontal view illustrating the overall structure of thedisplay device relating to one aspect of the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure when thedisplay device of one aspect of the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure is in the first posture;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure when thedisplay device of one aspect of the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure is in the second posture;

FIG. 6 is an overall view of the electro-optic layer relating to oneaspect of the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the display system relating toone aspect of the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the brightness control of the displaydevice relating to one aspect of the first embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating the judgment criteria in the judgmentprocessing for the brightness control;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the light transmittance control ofthe display device relating to one aspect of the first embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating the judgment criteria in the judgmentprocessing for the reflectivity control;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the nullification processing for thelight transmittance control for the display device relating to oneaspect of the first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a frontal view illustrating an overall structure of thedisplay device relating to one aspect of the second embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating the display system relating toone aspect of the second embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the trimming processing for thedisplay device relating to one aspect of the embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Knowledge Basic to the Present Disclosure

Basic knowledge is described prior to giving a specific description ofthe embodiments. Display systems for capturing images rearward of thevehicle by utilizing an image capture device and displaying the capturedimages on a display device for confirmation by the driver have beenconventionally evaluated in the art. One-way mirrors, placed on thefront surface of the display device, that switch between the followingtwo modes are also being evaluated. One mode is a mode that can bevisually recognized by the driver as a video that transmits through theone-way mirror when the video is displayed on the display device. Theother mode is a mode that allows the driver to visually recognize therearward of the vehicle by a mirror image reflected in the one-waymirror when not displaying a video on the display device. On the otherhand, on vehicle inner rear-view mirrors such as utilizing one-waymirrors, the provision of a layer on the surface of the rear-view mirrorthat changes the reflectivity by the application of a voltage is beingevaluated. Moreover, technology is also being evaluated that reduces theglare reflecting to the rear-view mirror due for example to the highbeams from the headlights of a rearward vehicle that causes the driverto feel a blinding glare. This technology is also called automaticanti-glare technology.

However, the present inventors perceived the fact that in the abovedescribed display device or display system, the problem occurs thatvisual recognition of the video or image displayed on the display deviceworsens due to changes in the surrounding environment such asfluctuations in the brightness around the vehicle. The present inventorsalso perceived that in the case of a display device or a display systemthat a one-way mirror is placed on the front surface of the abovedescribed display device, and when the above described anti-glaretechnology is simply utilized with the one-way mirror, the anti-glaretechnology sometimes operates even when the display device is displayinga video, and causes the problem that the driver finds it difficult toview and identify the video. Various shapes are being evaluated for thedisplay viewed by the driver to improve the design on the abovedescribed display device. For example, the contour of the display neednot be limited to a rectangular shape and a portion of the display maybe a curve shape. The inventors further perceived the problem that inthis type of display device problems can occur when the video or imageacquired by the display device is displayed as is on the display devicewithout changes. Moreover in recent years, in vehicles with names suchas what is called “connected cars”, the accessory devices within thevehicle are sometimes mutually carrying out communication. The inventorsperceived that when these respective accessory devices are separatelyoperated such as by using the operating buttons placed on them, theresultant operation disturbs the driver's concentration. To resolve atleast one of these issues, the present inventors configured a displaysystem or display device relating to the present disclosure as givenbelow.

In each of the accompanying work drawings, the same reference numeralsare assigned to identical structural elements, members and processes,and redundant descriptions are omitted. The dimensions of the members ineach work drawing are enlarged or reduced for purposes of convenience tosimplify the description.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the structure of a vehicle 1000relating to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The right side ofFIG. 1 is here equivalent to the front side of the vehicle 1000. Inother words, the vehicle 1000 is driving rightward of FIG. 1 . Thevehicle 1000 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an image capture device 100,a display device 200, a windshield 500, and a seat 510. The x axis, yaxis, and z axis as illustrated in FIG. 1 are assumed to utilizeCartesian coordinates. The x axis extends along the windshield 500 andtherefore includes a tilt angle identical to the tilt angle of thewindshield 500. The y axis intersects the x axis and extends to the leftand right of the vehicle 1000. The x-y plane therefore matches thesurface of the windshield 500. The z axis is perpendicular to the x axisand y axis and extends along the normal direction of the windshield 500.The positive (or forward) directions of the x axis, y axis, and z axisare illustrated by the direction of respective arrows in FIG. 1 and thenegative (or rear) directions are a direction opposite the arrows.

The positive (or forward) direction of the x axis is an upward directiontoward the rear of the vehicle 1000 along the windshield 500. Thenegative (or rear) direction of the x axis is a direction toward thefront of the vehicle 1000 along the windshield 500. The positive (orforward) direction of the z axis is the normal direction toward thefront of the vehicle 1000 from the windshield 500. The negative (orrear) direction of the z axis is the normal direction toward the rear ofthe vehicle 1000 from the windshield 500. Hereafter, the positivedirection of the x axis is also sometimes called, “rearward” or “rearside”, the negative direction of the x axis is the “forward” or “frontside”, the positive direction of the y axis is the “leftward” or “leftside”, the negative direction of the y axis is the “rightward” or “rightside”, the positive direction of the z axis is the “upward” or “upperside”, the negative direction of the z axis is the “downward” or “lowerside”. Here, the rearward and forward of the x axis are different fromthe rearward and forward of the vehicle 1000; the upward and downward ofthe z axis are different from the upward and downward of the vehicle1000, however these are sometimes used without clearly distinguishingbetween them.

The image capture device 100 is placed at the rear of the vehicle 1000and captures images rearward of the vehicle 1000. The image capturedevice 100 may also be coupled to the display device 200 via anelectronic control unit (ECU) not illustrated in the drawing. In otherwords, the image capture device 100 may be coupled to the display device200 via a network. These types of couplings are usable for wirelesscommunication, cable communications or any combination of thesecommunication methods. The image capture device 100 may also be coupleddirectly to the display device 200. The image capture device 100 outputsthe captured video or images to the display device 200. Here, the imagecapture device 100 and the display device 200 are included in a displaysystem 1 of the present disclosure.

The display device 200 may be placed on the windshield 500 within thevehicle 1000. The display device 200 may for example be placed in thecenter section along the left-right direction of the windshield 500. Theseat 510 is placed at a position to the rear of the vehicle 1000 fromthe display device 200 and a vehicle occupant 520 sits in the seat 510.When the seat 510 is the driver's seat then the vehicle occupant 520 isequivalent to the driver. The display device 200 receives video orimages input from the image capture device 100 and display the video tothe vehicle occupant 520. The display device 200 in other words displaysvideo or images within the vehicle 1000.

The position modes for the display device 200 of the present disclosureare described in detail while referring to FIGS. 2 through 6 . FIG. 2 isa perspective view illustrating the structure of the display device 200relating to one aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.3 is a frontal view illustrating the overall structure of the displaydevice 200 relating to one aspect of the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structureof the display device 200 when the electro-optic layer relating to oneaspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure is in the firstposture. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure ofthe display device 200 when the electro-optic layer relating to oneaspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure is in the secondposture. FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating the overall of theelectro-optic layer relating to one aspect of the embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the cross-sectional views taken along linesA-A′ for each posture in FIG. 3 . To simplify the description, thestructure such as the later described base 10, mount 12, and bracket 14for clamping the display device 200 to the windshield 500 are omittedfrom FIG. 3 . To simplify the description, a description of varioustypes of wiring and circuit boards placed within the display device 200are omitted in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 4 and 5 . Varioustypes of wiring and circuit boards may be placed inside the displaydevice 200 as needed when mounting the display device 200 of the presentdisclosure.

The display device 200 includes a base 10, a mount 12, a bracket 14, aconnector plate 16, a housing 18, a glass panel 20, an actuator 22, afirst illuminance sensor 300, a second illuminance sensor 400, a display203, and an electro-optic layer 204. The above described firstilluminance sensor 300 and the second illuminance sensor 400 need not beplaced within the display device 200.

The base 10 has a plate shape and is formed from hard material such asmetal, etc. The surface of the base 10 that faces upward may for examplebe clamped to the windshield 500 by using adhesive, etc. Besides thisarrangement, any method for clamping the display device 200 may beutilized if the same position as the conventional room mirror. Theclamping strength when clamping the base 10, shall be to an extent thatprevents the base 10 from falling from the windshield 500 in the eventof a collision or a sudden stop by the vehicle 1000 even when anexternal force is sustained due to impacts on the later described mount12, bracket 14, connector plate 16, housing 18, glass panel 20. The base10 may be a shape that is longer along the forward-rear direction thanin the left-right direction.

The mount 12 is a shape capable of combining with and sliding along thebase 10. The mount 12 is manufactured from alloys of aluminum,magnesium, and zinc. The mount 12 may be manufactured from alloys suchas aluminum alloy of ADC, etc. The mount 12 may be further manufacturedfrom glass filler or resin filler. The filler may be glass or carbonfibers at this time. This type of mount 12 is a rigid piece. A rigidpiece signifies an object that does not deform when the mount 12 isslide-combined on the base 10.

The bracket 14 is connected to the lower section of the mount 12. Thebracket 14 extends downward from the mount 12 while forming a curve andconnects to the rear surface of the housing 18. A connection plate 16with a curved contour is placed on the section connecting with thebracket 14 on the rear side of the housing 18. The connection of themount 12 and the bracket 14, the connection of the bracket 14 and thehousing 18, the structure of the bracket 14, and the structure of theconnection plate 16 utilize technology of the known art, so that adescription is omitted here.

The bracket 14 and the connection plate 16 are for example manufacturedfrom resin material. The bracket 14 and the mount 12, or the bracket 14and mount piece 60 may be formed in an integrated piece. The bracket 14may be manufactured from the same material as the mount 12 and at thistime may be manufactured from a rigid piece the same as the mount 12.

The housing 18 has a box shape in the left and right directions and issupported by the bracket 14. The housing 18 has an opening 24 on thefront side of the display device 200. A glass panel 20 is placed on thefront side of the housing 18. The glass panel 20 may be placed so as toprotect the display 203 and the electro-optic layer 204.

The actuator 22 includes a structure capable of switching between afirst posture and a second posture of the electro-optic layer 204. Theactuator 22 may for example have a lever shape. In that case, switchingthe position of the actuator 22 including the lever shape changes thetilt of the housing 18, so that the posture of the electro-optic layer204 switches between the first posture and the second posture.

The actuator 22 is not limited to a lever shape and may for example havea button shape and any structure may be employed as long as the postureof the display device 200 can be switched between a first posture and asecond posture. In the example in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the actuator 22changes the tilt of the housing 18 to switch the posture of theelectro-optic layer 204 placed within the housing 18. However, theactuator 22 may have a structure that switches the posture of theelectro-optic layer 204 without changing the tilt of the housing 18. Inthat case, the actuator 22 may physically connect with the electro-opticlayer 204 and directly switch the posture of the electro-optic layer204.

The first illuminance sensor 300 detects the brightness around thevehicle 1000. In the present embodiment, the first illuminance sensor300 is placed on the rear surface of the housing 18 and detects thebrightness around the vehicle 1000 by detecting the light aftertransmitting through the windshield 500. The second illuminance sensor400 detects the intensity of the light emitting onto the front side ofthe display device 200. In the present embodiment, the secondilluminance sensor 400 is placed on the front side of the housing 18 anddetects the light emitted onto the electro-optic layer 204. The glasspanel 20 may be placed on the front side of the second illuminancesensor 400.

The display 203 displays the captured video or images captured by theimage capture device 100. The display 203 is for example a liquidcrystal display or an electro-luminescent (EL) display.

The electro-optic layer 204 includes a transmissive-reflective layer 40and a variable transmittance element 30. The transmissive-reflectivelayer 40 transmits a portion of the incident light and reflects anotherportion of the incident light. The transmissive-reflective layer 40 isfor example a one-way mirror. The transmissive-reflective layer 40 maybe placed on the rear surface of the variable transmittance element 30.The driver can visually recognize a mirror image such as images rearwardof the vehicle appearing on the transmissive-reflective layer 40.Voltage can be applied to the variable transmittance element 30. Thetransmittance of the variable transmittance element 30 can be changed bycontrolling the voltage applied to the variable transmittance element30. The amount of incident light from the variable transmittance element30 on the transmissive-reflective layer 40 can in this way be increasedor decreased. As a result, the reflectivity of the electro-optic layer204 can be changed. The electro-optic layer 204 is described below indetail. The electro-optic layer 204 is visible from the front side ofthe display device 200 through the opening 24 of the housing 18.

The display 203 and the electro-optic layer 204 are each placed withinthe housing 18. The display 203 is placed on the rear side of theelectro-optic layer 204. The electro-optic layer 204 is, in other words,placed on the front surface of the display 203. When the driver viewsrearward of the vehicle by using the display 203, the video or the imagedisplayed on the display 203 is visible to the driver through theelectro-optic layer 204. Also the display 203 does not display video orimages when the driver is viewing rearward of the vehicle 1000 by way ofthe mirror image on the transmissive-reflective layer 40.

When the display 203 is not displaying images, or when a black image isdisplayed across the entire screen, the display 203 is not visible tothe driver through the electro-optic layer 204. The incident light is atthis time reflected by the transmissive-reflective layer 40 of theelectro-optic layer 204 so that the driver can view rearward of thevehicle 1000 by way of the mirror image that is projected on thetransmissive-reflective layer 40.

The switching of the posture of the electro-optic layer 204 and eachposture are described while referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 . FIG. 4illustrates the case of the first posture of the electro-optic layer204. FIG. 5 illustrates the case of the second posture of theelectro-optic layer 204.

The first posture is the posture that the driver views rearward of thevehicle by utilizing the display 203. The second posture is the posturethat the driver views rearward of the vehicle 1000 by utilizing themirror image in the transmissive-reflective layer 40. As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5 , the vehicle occupant 520 changes the tilt of the housing18 by switching the position of the actuator 22 to switch the posture ofthe electro-optic layer 204. Specifically, by operating the actuator 22to move the display device 200 forward or in other words, operating itto so as to approach near to the driver, the electro-optic layer 204 isswitched to the first posture. On the other hand, by operating theactuator 22 to move the display device 200 rearward or in other words,away from the driver, the electro-optic layer 204 is switched to thesecond posture.

Comparing the first posture and the second posture, the second postureturns the normal line direction of the electro-optic layer 204 moreupward relative to the driver than the first posture does. When in thesecond posture, the ceiling of the vehicle compartment is projected onthe transmissive-reflective layer 40 of the electro-optic layer 204 asseen by the driver. The reflected light (also called ambient light)reflected from the transmissive-reflective layer 40 that is incident onthe driver can therefore be reduced. Therefore, when the driver isviewing rearward of the vehicle by using the display 203, the ceiling ofthe vehicle compartment can be projected on the transmissive-reflectivelayer 40 within the electro-optic layer 204 by putting the electro-opticlayer 204 in the second posture, so that bright ambient light such asheadlights from rearward of the vehicle 1000 can be prevented frominterfering with the driver's vision. Accordingly, the visualrecognition of the video or images displayed on the display 203 can beimproved.

Here, the drawings illustrate the display 203 and the electro-opticlayer 204 placed in parallel with each other, however the display 203and the electro-optic layer 204 may be placed so as to have apredetermined angle. For example, the normal line direction of theelectro-optic layer 204 may be turned upward relative to the driver,compared to the normal line direction of the display 203.

One example of the electro-optic layer 204 is described while referringto FIG. 6 . The electro-optic layer 204 includes thetransmissive-reflective layer 40 and the variable transmittance element30. The transmissive-reflective layer 40 has a structure that transmitsa portion of the incident light and reflects another portion of theincident light. The transmissive-reflective layer 40 may for example bea one-way mirror having a transmittance of 50% and a reflectivity of 50%for the incident light. The transmissive-reflective layer 40 may be apolarized reflector plate that transmits a first polarized light, andreflects a second polarized light whose polarization direction isdifferent from the first polarized light.

The variable transmittance element 30 includes for example a firstelectrode 31, an electrochromic layer 32, and a second electrode 33. Thefirst electrode 31 and the second electrode 33 may be coupled to a powersource not illustrated in the drawing. Transparent electrodes may beutilized for each of the first electrode 31 and the second electrode 33.Here, the transmittance of the electrochromic layer 32 can be varied byapplying a voltage to the first electrode 31 and the second electrode33. For example, the electrochromic layer 32 can have an incident lighttransmittance of 80% or more when no voltage is applied. Theelectrochromic layer 32 can have an incident light transmittance of 50%or less when a voltage is applied. The electrochromic layer 32 is notlimited to these values, and for example the transmittance of theelectrochromic layer 32 may be reduced when a voltage is appliedcompared to when no voltage is applied. Technology of the known art maybe utilized for the electrochromic layer 32, so that a detaileddescription is omitted.

When the transmittance of the electrochromic layer 32 is in a low state,there is little incident light on the transmissive-reflective layer 40,so that the amount of light that the electro-optic layer 204 reflects issmaller compared to when the transmittance of the electrochromic layer32 is in a high state. Therefore, by controlling the transmittance ofthe electrochromic layer 32, a large quantity of bright ambient lightfrom the behind the vehicle 1000 can be prevented from shining into theeyes of the driver. In other words, by varying the transmittance of theelectrochromic layer 32, the transmittance and reflectivity of theelectro-optic layer 204 including the electrochromic layer 32 and thetransmissive-reflective layer 40 can be varied.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the display system 1 relating toone aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The displaysystem 1 includes the image capture device 100, the display device 200,the first illuminance sensor 300, and the second illuminance sensor 400.

The image capture device 100 includes an image capture part 101 and aprocessor part 102. The image capture part 101 includes a solid-stateimage sensing device. The solid-state image capture device may forexample utilize a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imagesensor or charge coupled device (CCD) image sensor. The solid-stateimage capture device converts the incident light arriving via the lensinto electrical video signals and outputs them to a signal processorcircuit not illustrated in the drawing. The signal processor circuitperforms signal processing such as A/D conversion and noise eliminationon the video signal input from the solid-state image capture device andsupplies the output to the processor part 102.

The processor part 102 is implemented by sharing the hardware resourcesand software resources, or by the hardware sources alone. A centralprocessing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), random access memory(RAM), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor(DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield-programmable gate array (FGPA), and other LSI devices may beutilized as hardware resources. Programs such as firmware can also beutilized as software resources.

The processor part 102 is capable of performing all types of videoprocessing such as gradation correction (gray level), color correction,and contour correction on the video signal or the image signal inputfrom the image capture part 101. The processor part 102 compresses thevideo-processed video signal or the image based on a predeterminedcompression method and sends the compressed video signal or image signalto the display device 200.

The first illuminance sensor 300 detects the brightness around thevehicle 1000. The first illuminance sensor 300 may also for example beutilized to detect the brightness of the driving environment of thevehicle 1000. For example, the first illuminance sensor 300 may beutilized to detect whether the driving environment is day or night, ormay be utilized for detecting whether the vehicle 1000 is driving in atunnel. The first illuminance sensor 300 detects a first illuminance(hereafter named, “first sensor value”) as a value expressing thebrightness, and outputs the detected first sensor value to the displaydevice 200.

The first illuminance sensor may for example be placed on the displaydevice 200 or may be placed in the vehicle 1000. When the firstilluminance sensor 300 is placed on the display device 200, it may beplaced on the rear side of the display device 200. The image capturedevice 100 may also function as the first illuminance sensor 300. Whenthe image capture device 100 also functions as the first illuminancesensor 300, the brightness around the vehicle 1000 may be detected basedon the brightness of the video or images acquired by the image capturepart 101 of the image capture device 100.

Here, when the brightness around the vehicle 1000 is detected based onthe brightness of the video or images acquired by the image capture part101, the processing may be performed by the processor part 102 or may beperformed by a control circuit 202 of the display device 200 describedbelow.

The location to place the first illuminance sensor 300 is not limited tothe above described state and it may be placed at an optional locationcapable of detecting the brightness around the vehicle 1000. The firstilluminance sensor 300 may also be a silicon photosensor.

The second illuminance sensor 400 detects the intensity of the lightemitted onto the front surface of the display device 200. The secondilluminance sensor 400 may for example be utilized to detect the highbeam headlights emitted onto the vehicle 1000 from a vehicle to therear. The second illuminance sensor 400 detects a second illuminance(hereafter named, “second sensor value”) as a value expressing theintensity of light emitted onto the front side of the display device200, and outputs the detected second sensor value to the display device200.

The second illuminance sensor 400 may for example be placed on thedisplay device 200, or may be placed in the vehicle 1000. When thesecond illuminance sensor 400 is placed on the display device 200, itmay be placed on the front side of the display device 200, and may beplaced so as to directly detect the intensity of the light emitted ontothe front surface of the display device 200.

When the second illuminance sensor 400 is placed in the vehicle 1000, itmay be placed in the rear of the vehicle 1000, so as to detect theintensity of the light emitted onto the vehicle 1000 from the rear ofthe vehicle 1000. At this time, the light emitted onto the vehicle 1000from the rear of the vehicle 1000 transmits through the glass on therear of the vehicle 1000 and is emitted on the front side of the displaydevice 200. Therefore, a value expressing the intensity of the detectedlight can be utilized as a value expressing the intensity of the lightemitted onto the front surface of the display device 200, even when thesecond illuminance sensor 400 placed within the vehicle 1000 isutilized. The image capture device 100 may also function as the secondilluminance sensor 400. When the image capture device 100 also functionsas the second illuminance sensor 400, the intensity of the light emittedonto the front surface of the display device 200 can also be detectedbased on the brightness of the video or images acquired by the imagecapture part 101 of the image capture device 100.

Here, when the intensity of the light emitted onto the front surface ofthe display device 200 is detected based on the brightness of the videoor image acquired by the image capture part 101, that processing may beperformed by the processor part 102 or may be performed by the controlcircuit 202 of the display device 200 described below.

The location to place the first illuminance sensor 300 is not limited tothe above described state and it may be placed at an optional locationcapable of detecting the brightness around the vehicle 1000. The firstilluminance sensor 300 may also be a silicon photosensor.

The display device 200 includes an input part 201, the control circuit202, the display 203, the electro-optic layer 204, and a posturedeterminer part 205.

The input part 201 is an interface that inputs the video signals orimage signals output from the processor part 102 of the image capturedevice 100, the value output from the first illuminance sensor 300, andthe value output from the second illuminance sensor 400 to the displaydevice 200. The display device 200 may include different input parts 201for the processor part 102, the first illuminance sensor 300, and thesecond illuminance sensor 400.

The control circuit 202 processes the video signal or the image signalfrom the image capture device 100, the value from the first illuminancesensor 300, the value from the second illuminance sensor 400, and thesignal received from the posture determiner part 205. The controlcircuit 202 controls the operation of the display 203 and theelectro-optic layer 204 according to the processing of these signals orvalues. Details of the process implemented by the control circuit 202are described below. The control circuit 202 is implemented by sharingthe hardware resources and the software resources, or by the hardwaresources alone. The CPU, ROM, RAM, GPU, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, and other LSIdevices may be utilized as hardware resources. Programs such as firmwarecan also be utilized as software resources.

The display 203 displays the video or the image based on the video dataor the image data output from the control circuit 202.

The transmittance or reflectivity for incident light on theelectro-optic layer 204 is changed by controlling the applied voltage bythe control circuit 202. As stated previously, the electro-optic layer204 includes the transmissive-reflective layer 40 and the variabletransmittance element 30.

The posture determiner part 205 determines whether the posture of theelectro-optic layer 204 is in the first posture or the second posture.The posture determiner part 205 inputs a signal indicating the postureof the electro-optic layer 204 to the control circuit 202.

The posture determiner part 205 may determine the posture of theelectro-optic layer 204 by utilizing a gyro sensor, etc. The posturedeterminer part 205 may determine the posture of the electro-optic layer204 by detecting whether the actuator 22 has been operated. At thistime, a switch not illustrated in the drawing may be placed that islinked with the operation of the actuator 22, and the posture determinerpart 205 may determine the posture of the electro-optic layer 204 bywhether the switch is on or off.

The processing implemented by the control circuit 202 is described nextwhile referring to FIG. 8 through FIG. 12 . FIG. 8 is a flowchartillustrating the brightness control of the display device 200 relatingto one aspect of the embodiment of the present disclosure.

The control circuit 202 controls the brightness of the video or imagesdisplayed on the display 203 based on the first sensor value acquiredfrom the first illuminance sensor 300 or the second sensor valueacquired from the second illuminance sensor 400. Here, for purposes ofconvenience, the control of the brightness is called the brightnesscontrol. The brightness control of the video or image may be implementedby changing the intensity of the backlight for the display 203 notillustrated in the drawing.

In step S101, the control circuit 202 acquires the respective firstsensor value and second sensor value from the first illuminance sensor300 and the second illuminance sensor 400. In step S102, the controlcircuit 202 implements judgement processing for how to executebrightness control based on the acquired first sensor value and secondsensor value. A specific description is given while referring to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a drawing illustrating the judgment criteria in the judgmentprocessing for the brightness control. Here, when the first sensor valueis a first threshold value or larger, the first sensor value isexpressed as “HIGH”. When the first sensor value is smaller than thefirst threshold value, the first sensor value is expressed as “LOW”. Thefirst threshold value is an optional value. The first threshold valuemay for example be a value that is a standard for determining if theenvironment around the vehicle 1000 is bright or determining if theenvironment is dark by utilizing the first illuminance sensor 300.

When the second sensor value is a second threshold value or higher, thesecond sensor value is expressed as “HIGH”. When the second sensor valueis smaller than the second threshold value, the second sensor value isexpressed as “LOW”. The second threshold value is an optional value. Thesecond threshold value may for example be a value that is a standard fordetermining whether light from headlights from a rearward vehicle areemitted onto the front surface of the display device 200 by utilizingthe second illuminance sensor 400.

When the brightness of the display 203 is lower than a third thresholdvalue, the brightness is expressed as “LOW”. When the brightness of thedisplay 203 is between the third threshold value and the fourththreshold value, the brightness is expressed as “MEDIUM”. When thebrightness of the display 203 is higher than a fourth threshold value,brightness is expressed as “HIGH”. At this time, the third thresholdvalue and the fourth threshold value are optional values. The thirdthreshold value may for example be a value within a range of 200 to 800(cd/m²), and the fourth threshold value may for example be a valuewithin a range of 1000 to 1500 (cd/m²), however these threshold valuesare not limited to the above values.

In the judgement processing in step S102, when for example, the firstsensor value is “LOW”, and the second sensor value is “HIGH”, thebrightness of the display 203 is judged as “LOW”. When the first sensorvalue is “LOW”, and the second sensor value is “LOW”, the brightness ofthe display 203 is judged as “MEDIUM”. The explanation of the contentfor controlling the brightness of the display 203 is described based onboth the first sensor value and the second sensor value, however thebrightness of the display 203 may be controlled based on either one ofthe first sensor value or the second sensor value. The control circuit202 includes a table expressing the judgement criteria illustrated inFIG. 9 , and step S102 may be implemented based on the information inthe table.

In step S103, the control circuit 202 outputs signals for performingbrightness control to the display 203 based on the judgement processingexecuted in step S102. The display 203 changes the brightness of thevideo or images being displayed based on signals that are received.

The control circuit 202 in this way judges how to perform brightnesscontrol according to whether the first sensor value is a first thresholdvalue or higher, and the second sensor value is a second threshold valueor higher. In this way, the brightness control of the display device 200can be implemented to match changes in the surrounding environment suchas changes in the brightness around the vehicle 1000. Control cantherefore be appropriately implemented to match the surroundingenvironment for visual recognition of video or images displayed on thedisplay device 200.

The transmittance control of the display device 200 is described next.FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the transmittance control of thedisplay device 200 relating to one aspect of the embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The control circuit 202 controls the transmittanceof the electrochromic layer 32 contained in the electro-optic layer 204based on the first sensor value acquired from the first illuminancesensor 300 or the second sensor value acquired from the secondilluminance sensor 400. As already described, the amount of incidentlight to the transmissive-reflective layer 40 is changed by controllingthe transmittance of the electrochromic layer 32 that causes a resultantchange in the reflectivity or transmittance of the electro-optic layer204. The control of the transmittance of the electrochromic layer 32 isdescribed here.

In step S201, the control circuit 202 acquires the respective firstsensor value and second sensor value from the first illuminance sensor300 and the second illuminance sensor 400. In step S202, judgementprocessing is performed regarding how to control the transmittance ofthe electrochromic layer 32 based on the acquired first sensor value andsecond sensor value. Specifically, a description is given whilereferring to FIG. 11 .

FIG. 11 is a drawing illustrating the judgment criteria in the judgmentprocessing for the reflectivity control of the display device 200. Thenotation of “HIGH” or “LOW” for the first sensor value is the same asthat for FIG. 9 , so that a description is omitted. The notation of“HIGH” or “LOW” for the second sensor value is the same as that for FIG.9 , so that a description is omitted.

When the transmittance of the electrochromic layer 32 is lower than thefifth threshold value, the transmittance is expressed as “LOW”. When thetransmittance of the electrochromic layer 32 is between the fifththreshold value and the sixth threshold value, the transmittance isexpressed as “MEDIUM”. When the transmittance of the electrochromiclayer 32 is the sixth threshold value or larger, the transmittance isexpressed as “HIGH”. The fifth threshold value and the sixth thresholdvalue are optional values. The fifth threshold value may for example bea value in a range from 20% to 50%. The sixth threshold value may forexample be a value in a range from 60% to 80%. However, these thresholdvalues are not limited to these values.

In the judgement processing in step S202, when for example the firstsensor value is “LOW”, and the second sensor value is “HIGH”, thetransmittance of the electrochromic layer 32 is judged as “HIGH”. Whenthe first sensor value is “LOW” and the second sensor value is “LOW”,the transmittance of the electrochromic layer 32 is judged as “MEDIUM”.The explanation of the content for controlling the transmittance of theelectrochromic layer 32 is described based on both the first sensorvalue and the second sensor value, however the transmittance of theelectrochromic layer 32 may be controlled based on either one of thefirst sensor value or the second sensor value. The control circuit 202includes a table expressing the judgement criteria as illustrated inFIG. 11 , and step S202 may be implemented based on the table.

In step S203, the control circuit 202 outputs a signal that controls thetransmittance of the electrochromic layer 32 to the electro-optic layer204 based on the judgement processing executed in step S202.Specifically, a signal that controls the voltage applied to the firstelectrode 31 and the second electrode 33 may be utilized. Theelectro-optic layer 204 changes the transmittance of the electrochromiclayer 32 based on the received signal.

The process for the control circuit 202 to nullify the transmittancecontrol of the electrochromic layer 32 is described next. FIG. 12 is aflowchart illustrating the nullification processing for thetransmittance control for the display device 200 relating to one aspectof the embodiment of the present disclosure. In step S301, the controlcircuit 202 judges whether the electro-optic layer 204 or the displaydevice 200 is in the first posture based on information expressing theposture of the electro-optic layer 204 or the display device 200 that isreceived from the posture determiner part 205. When judged as in thefirst posture, the process proceeds to step S303 and the transmittancecontrol of the electrochromic layer 32 is nullified.

Specifically, the transmittance of the electrochromic layer 32 isclamped at a predetermined value and without implementing transmittancecontrol of the electrochromic layer 32 based on the first sensor valueor the second sensor value. Here, even when judged that changing thetransmittance of the electrochromic layer 32 by the control circuit 202is necessary in compliance with the transmittance control flowillustrated in FIG. 10 , the control circuit 202 does not output asignal for controlling the transmittance to the electro-optic layer 204.Alternatively, the transmittance control flow as illustrated in FIG. 10is set not to be performed.

When the transmittance control has been nullified, the transmittance ofthe electrochromic layer 32 is preferably clamped at a high value. Forexample, the transmittance may be clamped as a value of 80% or more.

In step S310, the first posture is not available or in other words whenjudged that this is the second posture, the process proceeds to stepS302, and transmittance control of the electrochromic layer 32 isenabled. When the transmittance control is enabled, the control circuit202 sets the transmittance control of the electrochromic layer 32 toenable based on the first sensor value or the second sensor value. Thetransmittance control is in other words implemented as illustrated inFIG. 10 .

When the driver of the vehicle 1000 is viewing rearward of the vehicle1000 by way of the video or the image displayed on the display 203 byway of this type of control, or in other words, when the electro-opticlayer 204 is in the first posture, the control by the control circuit202 nullifies the transmittance control of the electrochromic layer 32.By changing the transmittance of the electrochromic layer 32 in thisway, the light output from the display 203 can be prevented fromattenuating when transmitting through the electro-optic layer 204. Inthis way, visual recognition of the video or the image displayed on thedisplay 203 can be ensured.

When the driver of the vehicle 1000 is on the other hand, viewingrearward of the vehicle 1000 by way of a mirror image that appears onthe transmissive-reflective layer 40, or in other words when theelectro-optic layer 204 is in the second posture, the transmittancecontrol of the electrochromic layer 32 by the control circuit 202 isenabled. Therefore, when in circumstances where a large amount of brightincident ambient light is shining into the eyes of the driver fromrearward of the vehicle 1000 such as from headlights of a rearwardvehicle, transmittance control of the electrochromic layer 32 isimplemented that can control the reflectivity of the electro-optic layer204. Therefore, most of the incident light that is bright ambient lightfrom rearward of the vehicle 1000 can be prevented from getting into theeyes of the driver. At this time, the transmittance of theelectrochromic layer 32 may be controlled so as to reduce thereflectivity of the electro-optic layer.

Second Embodiment

Another embodiment of a display device and a display system relating tothe present disclosure is therefore described. In the accompanying workdrawings, in structures identical to the first embodiment, the samereference numerals are assigned to identical structural elements,descriptions are omitted, and the description centers on pointsdifferent from the first embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a frontal view illustrating an overall structure of thedisplay device relating to the second embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The point different from the first embodiment is the contourof the shape of the opening 24 on the housing 18. In the example of thefirst embodiment, the shape of the opening 24 on the housing 18 islongitudinal, however in the second embodiment a portion of the opening24 of the housing 18 is a curved shape. The shape of the opening 24illustrated in FIG. 13 is one example and other shapes such as an ovalshape or a laterally long diamond shape are possible.

The display 203 and the electro-optic layer 204 placed within thehousing 18 may be partially formed in a curved shape the same as theopening 24 of the housing 18. In other words, the shape of the display203 and the electro-optic layer 204 are designed so as to match theshape of the opening 24 of housing 18.

In the second embodiment, a display device 600 includes an operatingpart 601 on the front side. The operating part 601 includes an inputbutton 51, an input button 52, and an input button 53. The number of theinput buttons at this time may be one, or may be more than three, or maybe optionally designed. The actuator 22 is not illustrated in FIG. 13 ,but the second embodiment may include the actuator 22 the same as in thefirst embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a display system 2 relating tothe second embodiment of the present disclosure. The display system 2includes an image capture device 100, a display device 600, a firstilluminance sensor 300, a second illuminance sensor 400, and anaccessory device 700.

The accessory device 700 is a device placed in the vehicle 1000 separatefrom the display device 600. The accessory device 700 may be all typesof devices operable by the driver such as air conditioners that controlthe air conditioning within the vehicle, navigation devices, adjustmentdevices for adjusting the angle of the side mirrors, audio devices, andseat position adjuster devices for adjusting the seat angle andadjusting the seat forward-backward positions, etc. The accessory device700 and the display device 600 may be coupled to allow communicationsuch as over a network. The coupling at this time may utilize wirelesscommunication, cable communication, and any combination of wireless andcable communication. The accessory device 700 may include acommunication part for carrying out communication with the displaydevice 600. The accessory device 700 may be a plurality of devices, andeach of the accessory devices 700 may be coupled to the display device600.

Compared with the first embodiment, the display device 600 furtherincludes an operating part 601. The operating part 601 includes an inputbutton 51, an input button 52, and an input button 53 capable ofoperating each function of the display device 600. Each function of thedisplay device 600 may include functions for adjusting the brightness ofthe video displayed on the display 203, or functions for controlling thereflectivity or transmittance of the electro-optic layer 204. The numberof input buttons may be one, may be more than three, or may beoptionally designed. Also, each of the functions of the accessory device700 coupled to the display device 600 may be operable by utilizing anyof the input button 51, the input button 52, and the input button 53.The operating part 601 may input signals corresponding to each operationto the control circuit 602 based on operation of the input button 51,the input button 52, and the input button 53.

The accessory device 700 is operable by operating the operating part 601of the display device 600, so that the vehicle occupant such as thedriver can operate the accessory device 700 and the display device 600from the same location within the vehicle.

The control circuit 602 of the display device 600 receives signals fromthe operating part 601. The control circuit 602 carries outcommunication with the accessory device 700 and transmits controlsignals to the accessory device 700. The control circuit 602 may receiveall types of information such as information indicating the state of theaccessory device 700 from the accessory device 700. The display device600 may include a communication part for carrying out communication withthe accessory device 700.

The control circuit 602 sends control signals for controlling eachfunction to the accessory device 700, the display 203, and theelectro-optic layer 204 based on signals that are received from theoperating part 601.

The control circuit 602 displays video or images on the display 203 whenthe driver views rearward of the vehicle 1000 by way of the video orimages displayed on the display 203. On the other hand, when the driveris viewing rearward of the vehicle 1000 by way of a mirror imageappearing on the transmissive-reflective layer 40 contained in theelectro-optic layer 204, the video or images are not displayed on thedisplay 203. A black image may at this time be displayed on the display203. The black image may be displayed across the entire area of thedisplay 203. When video or images are displayed on the display 203, thedriver can visually recognize them on the display 203 through theelectro-optic layer. In other words, the driver can visually recognizethe video or images. On the other hand, when video or images are notdisplayed on the display 203, or when the black image is displayed, thedisplay 203 is not visible to the driver, and the mirror image appearingon the transmissive-reflective layer 40 contained in the electro-opticlayer 204 is visible to the driver.

The control circuit 602 implements the process for trimming the video orimages that are received from the image capture device 100. As alreadystated, the housing 18 of the display device 600 includes a curve-shapedopening 24, the driver visually recognizes video or images displayed onthe display 203 through the opening 24. Therefore, the videos or imagesthat the driver actually visually recognizes have the same contours asthe opening 24. In the second embodiment, the shape of the display 203is the same as the shape of the opening 24 or the housing 18. An imageor a single frame of video acquired from the image capture device 100 isusually a square or a rectangular image, so that trimming of the videoor image is performed to match the shape of the display 203. A specificdescription of the trimming processing is given below. Other operationsof the control circuit 602 are the same as the first embodiment, so thata description is omitted.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating the trimming processing for thedisplay device relating to one aspect of the embodiment of the presentdisclosure. In step S401, the control circuit 602 acquires video orimages captured by the image capture device 100. In step S402, thetrimming processing is performed and the acquired video or images, orvideo or images matched with the shape of the display 203 or the shapeof the opening 24 are generated. Specifically, a portion of an area iscut out from the acquired video or images. The shape of the video orimages that are cut out at this time are shapes that are identical tothe shape of the display 203 or the opening 24.

The video or images generated through the trimming processing in S402are output to the display 203 in step S403 and are displayed visible tothe driver. This type of trimming processing is capable of generatingvideo or images that match the shape of the display 203 or the opening24 of the housing 18.

Contents of the present disclosure are described based on theembodiments. The embodiments are examples and one skilled in the art canunderstand that various modifications can be rendered by combining theirstructural elements or processes and that the modifications are withinthe scope of the present invention.

The display system of the embodiment of the present disclosure is adisplay system that is placeable in a vehicle, and the display systemincludes

an image capture device that captures images rearward of the vehicle,

a display device that is coupled to an image capture device via anetwork, and receives at least a portion of the rearward images capturedby the image capture device,

a first illuminance sensor that detects the brightness around thevehicle, and

a second illuminance sensor that detects the intensity of the lightemitted onto the front surface of the display device, in which

the display device includes

a housing with an opening on the front side,

an electro-optic layer with a transmissive-reflective layer thattransmits a portion of incident light and reflects another portion ofthe incident light, the electro-optic layer being configured to vary thereflectivity of the incident light,

a display placed on the rear side of the electro-optic layer andconfigured to display at least a portion of the rearward image,

a control circuit that controls the operation of the display device, and

an actuator placed in the housing and configured to switch the postureof the electro-optic layer between a first posture and a second posture,in which

the first posture is a posture that the driver of the vehicle viewsrearward of the vehicle by at least a portion of the rearward imagesdisplayed on the display,

the second posture is a posture that the driver of the vehicle viewsrearward of the vehicle by a mirror image that appears on thetransmissive-reflective layer, and

the control circuit controls the display to display at least a portionof the rearward images when the posture of the electro-optic layer is inthe first posture,

controls the display to display no image when the posture of theelectro-optic layer is in the second posture; and

controls the brightness of the display based on a value detected by atleast one of the first illuminance sensor and the second illuminancesensor, and

the display is visible to the driver of the vehicle through theelectro-optic layer when the control circuit controls the display todisplay at least a portion of the rearward images.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample, the first illuminance sensor may be placed on the rear side ofthe housing, and the second illuminance sensor may be placed near theopening of the housing.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample, the first illuminance sensor may be placed on the body of thevehicle, and the first illuminance sensor and the display device may becoupled via a vehicle network.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample, the first illuminance sensor and the second illuminance sensormay include respective silicon photosensors.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample, the actuator may switch the posture of the electro-optic layerbetween the first posture and the second posture by changing the postureof the housing.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample, the actuator is coupled to the electro-optic layer and mayswitch the posture of the electro-optic layer between the first postureand the second posture without changing the posture of the housing.

The display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure is adisplay device that is placeable in the vehicle, and the display deviceincludes

a housing with an opening on the front side,

an image acquirer that acquires images rearward of the vehicle,

a first illuminance detector that detects a first illuminance expressingthe brightness around the vehicle,

a second illuminance detector that detects a second illuminanceexpressing the intensity of the light emitted on the front surface ofthe display device,

an electro-optic layer that includes a transmissive-reflective layerthat transmits a portion of incident light and reflects another portionof the incident light, the electro-optic layer being configured to varythe reflectivity of the incident light,

a display placed on the rear side of the electro-optic layer andconfigured to display at least a portion of the rearward image,

a control circuit that controls the operation of the display device, and

an actuator placed in the housing and configured to switch the postureof the electro-optic layer between a first posture and a second posture,in which

the first posture is a posture that the driver of the vehicle views therearward of the vehicle by at least a portion of the rearward imagesdisplayed on the display,

the second posture is a posture that the driver of the vehicle views therearward of the vehicle by a mirror image that appears on thetransmissive-reflective layer,

the control circuit

controls the display to display at least of a portion of the rearwardimages when the posture of the electro-optic layer is in the firstposture,

controls the display to display no image when the posture of theelectro-optic layer is in the second posture; and

controls the brightness of the display based on a value of at least oneof the first illuminance and the second illuminance, and

the display is visible to the driver of the vehicle through theelectro-optic layer when the control circuit controls the display todisplay at least a portion of the rearward images.

In the display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample, the actuator may switch the posture of the electro-optic layerbetween the first posture and the second posture by changing the postureof the housing.

In the display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample, the actuator is coupled to the electro-optic layer and mayswitch the posture of the electro-optic layer between the first postureand the second posture without changing the posture of the housing.

The display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure is adisplay system that is placeable in a vehicle and the display systemincludes

an image capture device that captures images rearward of the vehicle,

a display device that is coupled to the image capture device over anetwork and receives at least a portion of the rearward images capturedby the image capture device,

a first illuminance sensor that detects the brightness around thevehicle, and

a second illuminance sensor that detects the intensity of the lightemitted onto the front surface of the display device, and

the display device includes

a housing with an opening on the front side,

an electro-optic layer with a transmissive-reflective layer thattransmits a portion of incident light and reflects another portion ofthe incident light, the electro-optic layer being configured to vary thereflectivity of the incident light,

a display placed on the rear side of the electro-optic layer andconfigured to display at least a portion of the rearward image,

a control circuit that controls the operation of the display device,

an actuator placed in the housing and configured to switch the postureof the electro-optic layer between a first posture and a second posture,in which

the first posture is a posture that the driver of the vehicle can viewrearward of the vehicle by at least a portion of the rearward imagesdisplayed on the display, and

the second posture is a posture that the driver of the vehicle can viewrearward of the vehicle by a mirror image that appears on thetransmissive-reflective layer,

the control circuit

controls the display to display at least of a portion of the rearwardimages when the posture of the electro-optic layer is in the firstposture,

controls the display to display no image when the posture of theelectro-optic layer is in the second posture; and

controls the reflectivity of the electro-optic layer based on the othervalue detected by at least one of the first illuminance sensor and thesecond illuminance sensor, and

the display is visible to the driver of the vehicle by the electro-opticlayer when the control circuit controls the display to display at leasta portion of the rearward images.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the control circuit may not control the reflectivity of theelectro-optic layer when the display is controlled so as to display atleast a portion of the rearward images.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the first illuminance sensor may be placed on the rear side of thehousing, and

the second illuminance sensor may be placed near the opening of thehousing.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the first illuminance sensor may be placed on the body of the vehicle,and

the illuminance sensor and the display device may be coupled via thevehicle network.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the first illuminance sensor and the second illuminance sensor mayinclude respective silicon photosensors.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the actuator may switch the posture of the electro-optic layer betweenthe first posture and the second posture by changing the posture of thehousing.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the actuator is coupled to the electro-optic layer, and may switch theposture of the electro-optic layer between the first posture and thesecond posture without changing the posture of the housing.

The display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure is adisplay device that is placeable in a vehicle, and the display deviceincludes

a housing with an opening on the front side,

a first illuminance sensor that detects a first illuminance expressingthe brightness around the vehicle,

a second illuminance sensor that detects a second luminance expressingthe intensity of the light emitted onto the front surface of the displaydevice,

an electro-optic layer with a transmissive-reflective layer thattransmits a portion of incident light and reflects another portion ofthe incident light, the electro-optic layer being configured to vary thereflectivity of the incident light,

a display placed on the rear side of the electro-optic layer andconfigured to display at least a portion of images rearward of thevehicle,

a control circuit that controls the operation of the display device, and

an actuator placed in the housing and configured to switch a posture ofthe electro-optic layer between a first posture and a second posture, inwhich

the first posture is a posture that the driver of the vehicle can viewrearward of the vehicle by at least a portion of the rearward imagesdisplayed on the display,

the second posture is a posture that the driver can view rearward of thevehicle by a mirror image that appears on the transmissive-reflectivelayer,

the control circuit

controls the display to display at least of a portion of the rearwardimages when the posture of the electro-optic layer is in the firstposture,

controls the display to display no image when the posture of theelectro-optic layer is in the second posture; and

controls the reflectivity of the electro-optic layer based on a value ofat least one of the first illuminance and the second illuminance, and

the display is visible to the driver through the electro-optic layerwhen the control circuit controls the display to display at least aportion of the rearward images.

In the display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the control circuit may not control the reflectivity of theelectro-optic layer when the display is controlled to display at least aportion of the rearward images.

In the display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the actuator may switch the posture of the electro-optic layer betweenthe first posture and the second posture by changing the posture of thehousing.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the actuator is coupled to the electro-optic layer and may switch theposture of the electro-optic layer between the first posture and thesecond posture without changing the posture of the housing.

In the display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the first illuminance sensor may be placed on the rear side of thehousing, and the second illuminance sensor may be placed near theopening of the housing.

In the display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the display may be coupled to the image capture device for capturingrearward images of the vehicle over a network.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the first illuminance sensor and the second illuminance sensor mayinclude respective silicon photosensors.

The display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure is adisplay system that is placeable in a vehicle, and the display systemincludes

an accessory device,

an image capture device that captures images rearward of the vehicle,

a display device that is coupled to an image capture device and anaccessory device via a network, and that receives at least a portion ofthe rearward images captured by the image capture device,

the display device includes

a housing with an opening on the front side,

a transmissive-reflective layer that transmits a portion of incidentlight and reflects another portion of the incident light,

a display placed on the rear side of the transmissive-reflective layerand that displays at least a portion of the rearward image,

an operation part that receives input by the vehicle occupant, and

a control circuit that controls the operation of the display device,

the control circuit

cuts out a portion of an area on the rearward image acquired by theimage capture device, generates an image matching the shape of theopening, and outputs it to the display,

outputs a control signal to the accessory device or the display when aninput is received from the operating part, and

the display is visible to the driver of the vehicle through thetransmissive-reflective layer when the control circuit controls thedisplay to display at least a portion of the rearward images.

The display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample further includes

an actuator placed on the housing and configured to switch the postureof the transmissive-reflective layer between a first posture and asecond posture,

the first posture may be a posture that the driver of the vehicle viewsthe rearward of the vehicle by at least a portion of the rearward imagesdisplayed on the display, and

the second posture may be a posture that the driver of the vehicle viewsthe rearward of the vehicle by a mirror image that appears on thetransmissive-reflective layer.

The display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample further includes

a first illuminance sensor that detects the brightness around thevehicle,

a second illuminance sensor that detects the intensity of the lightemitted onto the front side of the display device, and

the control circuit may control the brightness of the display devicebased on a value detected by at least one from either of the firstilluminance sensor or the second illuminance sensor.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the first illuminance sensor is placed on the rear side of the housing,and

the second illuminance sensor is placed near the opening in the housing.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the first illuminance sensor is placed on the body of the vehicle, andthe illuminance sensor and the display device may be coupled via avehicle network.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the first illuminance sensor and the second illuminance sensor mayinclude respective silicon photosensors.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the actuator may switch the posture of the electro-optic layer betweenthe first posture and the second posture by changing the posture of thehousing.

In the display system of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the actuator is coupled to the electro-optic layer and may switch theposture of the electro-optic layer between the first posture and thesecond posture without changing the posture of the housing.

The display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure is adisplay device that is placeable in inside of the vehicle and that iscoupled to an accessory device placed in the vehicle via a network, andthe display device including,

a housing with an opening on the front side,

a transmissive-reflective layer that transmits a portion of incidentlight and reflects another portion of the incident light,

a display placed on the rear side of the transmissive-reflective layerand that displays at least a portion of the rearward images of thevehicle,

an operating part that receives the input by the vehicle occupant, and

a control circuit that controls the operation of the display device, inwhich

the control circuit

cuts out a portion of an area on the rearward image acquired by theimage capture device, generates an image matching the shape of theopening and outputs it to the display, and

outputs a control signal to the accessory device or the display when theoperating part receives an input, and

the display is visible to the driver of the vehicle through thetransmissive-reflective layer when the control circuit controls thedisplay to display at least a portion of the rearward images.

A display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample, further includes

an actuator that is placed in the housing and switches the posture ofthe transmissive-reflective layer between a first posture and a secondposture, in which

the first posture may be a posture that the driver of the vehicle viewsrearward of the vehicle by at least a portion of the rearward imagesdisplayed on the display, and

the second posture may be a posture that the driver of the vehicle viewsrearward of the vehicle by way of a mirror image that appears on thetransmissive-reflective layer.

The display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample, further includes

a first illuminance sensor that detects the brightness around thevehicle,

a second illuminance sensor that detects the intensity of the lightemitted onto the front side of the display device, and

the control circuit may control the brightness of the display devicebased on a value detected by at least one from either of the firstilluminance sensor or the second illuminance sensor.

The display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample, further includes

the first illuminance sensor placed on the rear side of the housing, and

the second sensor placed near the opening of the housing.

In the display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the display device may be coupled to the image capture device thatacquires images rearward of the vehicle via a network.

In the display device of one embodiment of the present disclosure, forexample,

the first illuminance sensor and the second illuminance sensor mayinclude respective silicon photosensors.

The display system and display device as described above are capable ofrendering further improvements.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and systems describedherein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods andsystems described herein may be made without departing from the spiritof the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents areintended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within thescope and spirit of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device placeable inside of a vehicle,the display device comprising: a housing with an opening on a frontside; an electro-optic layer that includes a transmissive-reflectivelayer and configured to vary reflectivity of incident light, thetransmissive-reflective layer transmits a portion of the incident lightand reflects another portion of the incident light; a display providedon a rear side of the electro-optic layer; a control circuit thatcontrols an operation of the display device; and an actuator provided inthe housing and that switches the electro-optic layer between a firstposture and a second posture, wherein the control circuit: controls anoperation of the display, generates a trimmed image matching a shape ofthe opening or a shape of the display by cutting out a part of arearward image acquired by an image capture device, outputs the trimmedimage to the display, controls the reflectivity of the electro-opticlayer when the electro-optic layer is in the second posture, and doesnot control the reflectivity of the electro-optic layer when theelectro-optic layer is in the first posture, and the display is visibleto a driver of the vehicle through the electro-optic layer when thecontrol circuit controls the display to display the trimmed image. 2.The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first posture is aposture that the driver of the vehicle views rearward of the vehicle byat least a portion of the rearward image displayed on the display, andthe second posture is a posture that the driver of the vehicle viewsrearward of the vehicle by way of a mirror image that appears on thetransmissive-reflective layer.
 3. The display device according to claim1, wherein a normal line direction of the electro-optic layer in thefirst posture is more upward than a normal line direction of theelectro-optic layer in the second posture.
 4. The display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the control circuit controls thereflectivity of the electro-optic layer based on a value of at least oneof a first illuminance and a second illuminance, the first illuminanceindicates brightness around the vehicle and is detected by a firstilluminance sensor, and the second illuminance indicates intensity oflight emitted on a front surface of the display device and is detectedby a second illuminance sensor.
 5. The display device according to claim1, wherein the control circuit controls the display to: display thetrimmed image when the electro-optic layer is in the first posture, anddisplay no image when the electro-optic layer is in the second posture.6. The display device according to claim 4, wherein the firstilluminance sensor is provided on a rear side of the housing, and thesecond sensor is provided near the opening of the housing.
 7. Thedisplay device according to claim 1, wherein the display device iscoupled to the image capture device via a network.
 8. The display deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the actuator switches the electro-opticlayer between the first posture and the second posture by changing aposture of the housing.
 9. The display device according to claim 1,wherein the actuator is coupled to the electro-optic layer and switchesthe electro-optic layer between the first posture and the second posturewithout changing a posture of the housing.
 10. The display deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein at least one of the first illuminancesensor and the second illuminance sensor includes a silicon photosensor.11. A display system placeable in a vehicle, the display systemcomprising: an image capture device that captures a rearward image ofthe vehicle; and a display device that is coupled to the image capturedevice via a network, and that receives at least a portion of therearward image, wherein the display device includes: a housing with anopening on a front side, an electro-optic layer that includes atransmissive-reflective layer and configured to vary reflectivity ofincident light, the transmissive-reflective layer transmits a portion ofthe incident light and reflects another portion of the incident light, adisplay provided on a rear side of the electro-optic layer, a controlcircuit that controls an operation of the display device, and anactuator provided in the housing and that switches the electro-opticlayer between a first posture and a second posture, the control circuit:controls an operation of the display, generates a trimmed image matchinga shape of the opening or a shape of the display by cutting out a partof the rearward image, outputs the trimmed image to the display,controls the reflectivity of the electro-optic layer when theelectro-optic layer is in the second posture, and does not control thereflectivity of the electro-optic layer when the electro-optic layer isin the first posture, and the display is visible to a driver of thevehicle through the electro-optic layer when the control circuitcontrols the display to display the trimmed image.
 12. The displaysystem according to claim 11, wherein the first posture is a posturethat the driver of the vehicle views rearward of the vehicle by at leasta portion of the rearward image displayed on the display, and the secondposture is a posture that the driver of the vehicle views rearward ofthe vehicle by way of a mirror image that appears on thetransmissive-reflective layer.
 13. The display system according to claim11, wherein a normal line direction of the electro-optic layer in thefirst posture is more upward than a normal line direction of theelectro-optic layer in the second posture.
 14. The display systemaccording to claim 11, further including: at least one of a firstilluminance sensor that detects brightness around the vehicle; and asecond illuminance sensor that detects intensity of light emitted on afront surface of the display device, wherein the control circuitcontrols the reflectivity of the electro-optic layer based on a valuedetected by at least one of the first illuminance sensor and the secondilluminance sensor.
 15. The display system according to claim 11,wherein the control circuit controls: the display to display the trimmedimage when the electro-optic layer is in the first posture, and thedisplay to display no image when the electro-optic layer is in thesecond posture.
 16. The display system according to claim 14, whereinthe first illuminance sensor is provided on a rear side of the housing,and the second sensor is provided near the opening of the housing. 17.The display system according to claim 14, wherein the first illuminancesensor is provided on a body of the vehicle, and the first illuminancesensor and the display device are coupled via a vehicle network.
 18. Thedisplay system according to claim 11, wherein the actuator switches theelectro-optic layer between the first posture and the second posture bychanging a posture of the housing.
 19. The display system according toclaim 11, wherein the actuator is coupled to the electro-optic layer andswitches the electro-optic layer between the first posture and thesecond posture without changing a posture of the housing.
 20. A displaydevice placeable inside of a vehicle, the display device comprising: ahousing with an opening on a front side; an electro-optic layer thatincludes a transmissive-reflective layer and configured to varyreflectivity of incident light, the transmissive-reflective layertransmits a portion of the incident light and reflects another portionof the incident light; a display placed on a rear side of theelectro-optic layer; a control circuit that controls an operation of thedisplay device; and an actuator provided in the housing and thatswitches the electro-optic layer between a first posture and a secondposture, wherein the control circuit: controls an operation of thedisplay, generates a trimmed image matching a shape of the opening or ashape of the display by cutting out a part of a rearward image acquiredby an image capture device, outputs the trimmed image to the display,controls the reflectivity of the electro-optic layer when theelectro-optic layer is in the second posture, and clamps thereflectivity of the electro-optic layer at a predetermined value whenthe electro-optic layer is in the first posture, and the display isvisible to a driver of the vehicle through the electro-optic layer whenthe control circuit controls the display to display the trimmed image.